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  • Committee to explore impact of “silver tsunami”

    Jan 31, 2013

    To The Eagle: The population in Wahkiakum County is aging rapidly. From 2010 to 2030 people aged 65 and over will increase from 25.5 percent to more than 42 percent. At the recent Aging Well – Living Well forum at Lower Columbia College, local experts addressed the impact this change is likely to have on our housing, transportation, health and wellness, workforce development, and community engagement. The keynote speaker, Bob Blancato, of Washington, D.C., national coordinator of the Elder Justice Coalition and director of the National...

  • No-cost wetlands on the way

    Jan 17, 2013

    To The Eagle, With continuing increases of atmospheric oxidation product concentrations and hot winds (oxidation produced tri-atomic molecules and hot winds associated with bureaucratic society), increases in habitat will likely occur without the expense of dike breaching. Rising ocean levels, a king tide, and an occasional good cyclone will contribute to no-cost wetlands. Gary Hanson Cathlamet...

  • Entitlements: Consider who is entitled to what

    Jan 17, 2013

    To The Eagle: The word "entitlements" is being turned into a dirty word, mostly by the conservatives. What are entitlements? Something you are entitled to! I have earned my entitlement of Social Security, through lifelong contributions to the trust fund, being managed by our government. Our government has dipped into this trust fund to the tune of owing it $5,000,000,000 (I think that’s the amount of zeros?). For those of us now collecting on our savings, our government has changed the name of our withdrawals. Our Social Security check will n...

  • Bradley House bids adieu to community

    Jan 17, 2013

    To The Eagle: As of December 15, 2012, the Bradley House Inn closed its door for business. We have had 11 years of being an innkeeper and we greatly appreciate all the support from our community. Our dream was to offer something that the town so desperately needed at the time. I remember after buying the Bradley House, we were sitting in the Riverview eating dinner. Six people (a couple and a party of four) were looking for lodging. There was none, so we offered our house for free. After all, we had four empty rooms. Four of those same people...

  • You want Congress to be reasonable about this?

    Jan 10, 2013

    To The Eagle: The Eagle's last editorial gasp for last year was devoted to dressing down conservatives in Congress for fouling up President Obama's grand plan to tax the rich, which inspires the same response that Ronald Reagan made famous in his 1980 debate with Jimmy Carter: "There you go again...bashing us poor battered and bruised conservatives." Last time it was the "conservative wing" that was not flapping hard enough; this time we're relegated to "conservative fringe," out there with the loonies, anarchists, and the flat earth folks....

  • Volunteers thankful

    Jan 10, 2013

    On behalf of the members of Fire District #4, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the community for supporting our bond levy request to purchase a newer-used fire engine. The members of this community have always been supportive of our volunteer emergency ser- vices personnel. We cannot thank you enough for your continued support! As a friendly reminder, we would also like to take this opportunity to encourage you to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms. This should be done at least once a year to keep your smoke alarms...

  • An invitation to live beyond one's means?

    Jan 10, 2013

    To The Eagle: Back in the old days, when dirt was still hot and dinosaurs roamed the earth and I was a kid, if you did not have the money to buy something you wanted you either went without or you got busy and earned the money needed. Or you traded your time or services or something of value you owned for the item you wanted. That was referred to as "living within your means." Somewhere along the line someone came up with the idea of "lending" money. This was promoted as a way to get what you want now and pay later. "Just make one ‘small easy p...

  • A Merry Christmas “if list”

    Dec 20, 2012

    To The Eagle:  Ground breaking for the Empire State Building was in January, 1930 and ribbon-cutting took place in May, 1931, six months early and 30 percent under estimated cost. We used to build dams, bridges, skyscrapers and other immense projects in mere months from drawing board to completion. Now, building anything requires conferences, studies, a gazillion permits, and numerous lawsuits if the construction’s construed to threaten a three-toed toad or spotted spoonbill, or violate any of 347,288 (give or take) obscure and obtuse r...

  • What would happen if...?

    Dec 13, 2012

    To The Eagle:  I realize it is hard to get agreement in any group of people.  But...what would happen if each and every one of us in the USA and perhaps the world over just decided to ignore the governing agencies and went back to taking responsibility for our own lives?  What if people remembered that not too long ago there were no handouts and people made their own way through honesty and hard work? Yes, I realize there were dishonest people and they were tolerated to a point then the vigilance committee met and the person was...

  • Clothing bank seeks clean, usable items

    Dec 13, 2012

    To The Eagle:  This has been a bittersweet year for the Cathlamet Seventh-day Adventist Clothing Bank. We have received more donations than ever, the sweet, and we have received more donations than ever, the bitter. Let me clarify this.  The sweet has several parts. First, what a wonderful, generous community Cathlamet is and has been. Secondly, most of the clothing has been clean, sorted and folded, which makes the clothing bank run smoothly. And lastly, it has been a joy to meet, visit, and laugh and talk with you about our...

  • Flooded refuge would imperil wildlife safety

    Dec 6, 2012

    To The Eagle: As a Wahkiakum high school student, I am concerned about the Julia Butler Hansen White Tail Deer Refuge. I have noticed that it could flood, and I don’t see very many people other than myself are concerned about it. I am an animal lover and I find this matter very important. With the land flooded in many places, animals who seek refuge and protection have to search for food in the mountains without the protection of the wildlife refuge. The animal wildlife refuge is the only true safe place for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer b...

  • Sen. Hatfield pleased with leadership votes

    Nov 29, 2012

    To The Eagle: I congratulate Sen. Ed Murray on his election as Senate majority leader and the actions he has taken to represent the many different points of view within the Democratic Caucus. Already, Sen. Murray has shown tremendous skill in leadership and being open to others’ thoughts and suggestions. We face a narrowly divided Senate chamber and, more than ever, we will need to see bipartisanship and cooperation between Senate Republicans and Democrats, and members from rural, urban and suburban districts. The recommendation of my friend a...

  • Food bank grateful for donations

    Nov 29, 2012

    Congratulations and thanks to all those who donated money, food and their time to fill and give out more than 130 Thanksgiving Baskets from the Wahkiakum Food Bank. It takes more than just food to fill Thanksgiving Baskets.  The food had to be gathered together from many places, with many people helping to put it all in one spot, then divide it, put it into baskets, and put it into the vehicles. Esther and Ruth (hmmm, good Biblical names) had to stay an extra two hours.  Needless to say we were all tired, but it was a good tired. We...

  • Correspondent returns to meet Sandy

    Nov 8, 2012

    Having recently spent two months in the Pacific Northwest I flew back to Baltimore on October 28. My flight from Albuquerque to Baltimore was slightly delayed and very turbulent, to the extent that everyone clapped when the pilots finally landed us safely on the ground. I live in Edgewater, Md., which is only half an hour from the airport so I made it home just fine. I can’t say that for a majority of my fellow passengers though; in preparation for Hurricane Sandy shortly after my flight landed, every airport on the eastern seaboard closed, s...

  • Websites offer voters relevant information

    Nov 1, 2012

    To The Eagle: It is hard to make an informed decision on voting when we hear about Oregon candidates and issues and rarely about Washington. I found a great tool on the internet that helped me make informed voting decisions: www.tvw.org/2012-video-voters-guide, or you can go to the Washington State website: www.access.wa.gov and search for video voters pamphlet. Each candidate video taped a presentation. Gerry Brennan Cathlamet...

  • Sewer issues ongoing

    Nov 1, 2012

    To The Eagle: Several years ago, our economic development gurus attempted to rescue our ailing golf course by slicing off a chunk of it to build golf-oriented condo units. Seemed impractical and our small course certainly didn't need an amputation, but we curmudgeons being neither golf nor economic development experts, the project proceeded. A contractor agreed to build the golf palaces, but only if we provided the sewer line to hook 'em to. This didn't seem kosher but we weren't ethics experts either, so the project rolled on. A local diggin'...

  • Pastor taking a dangerous path

    Nov 1, 2012

    To The Eagle: We read with heavy hearts the letter by the man who calls himself a New Testament Christian pastor and supports gay marriage. He says he looks to Jesus for instruction on this issue. Why doesn't he ask the Holy Spirit to lead him while he reads the book of instruction the Holy Bible and the truth will be found? The New Testament does address homosexuality and condemns it as an immoral and unnatural sin. Leviticus 18:22 identifies the homosexual act as an abomination and a detestable sin. Romans 1:26-27 declares homosexual desires...

  • Local kids are worth a shot at grant money

    Nov 1, 2012

    To The Eagle: On Friday, the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation (EMCF) published a request for proposals (RFP) for grant applications to address at-risk youth. These are large grants run through Fidelity Investments. EMCF is looking to round out its portfolio and is particularly interested in supporting youth, ages nine to 24, living in economically-stressed rural areas who are at risk for dropping out of school, for teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol addiction, mental health issues, un- or under-employment, and violence. This may represent a...

  • Interim sheriff gives heartfelt thanks

    Nov 1, 2012

    To The Eagle: On behalf of the Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s Office and the men and women who volunteer for us, I wish to give a deeply heartfelt thank you to family, friends and community members who have supported us and comforted us in our grief this past week. We know there will still be some difficult times ahead but without your care for the public safety personnel who serve you, we would be in an even bigger world of hurt today. We recognize Jon’s passing is affecting and continues to affect so many in our county and we share your sor...

  • Economy problems will not solve themselves

    Nov 1, 2012

    To The Eagle: No one can build a sound economy using a fraudulent money system. I don't care if you are a Democrat, Republican or any other variety of politician or official trying to do so will not work. The proof is right before your very eyes. The debt will not get smaller, the deficit will not go away, things will not get better. Even if you are the most gifted economist in the world, you will not be able to build a sound economy using unsound money. My message is simply this: it will not matter at all who we elect to any office if we do...

  • Cheating a real problem

    Nov 1, 2012

    To The Eagle: A major thank you to The Eagle and to the Hanigan Law Office and Wahkiakum Title & Escrow for bringing us a quality weekly crossword and Sudoku puzzle. Now hanging with The Eagle lasts twice as long. Might I add, as a suggestion, do not print the answers to the puzzles on the same page as it makes cheating way too easy! Thanks! Rolly and Ginny Armstrong Cathlamet...

  • Voter's Pamphlet hazy on marijuana definition

    Oct 25, 2012

    To The Eagle: Prospective voters on Initiative Measure 502 who read the full 17 page text (Voter's Pamphlet, pages 100-117) will notice the deceptively included legalization of hashish as well as marijuana. Hashish is a product of the hemp plant (cannabis), not a "product of marijuana" as implied on page 101 (Part II, Sec. 2, p(2), paragraph beginning '"Marijuana" or "marihuana" means..') Hashish derives from the resin scraped from the flowering tops. It is a more serious hallucinogen, yet in this elaborate proposition it is mentioned only...

  • Utilities are engines of growth, not barriers

    Oct 25, 2012

    To The Eagle: Let me thank the Chamber of Commerce and our county commissioners for hosting last week’s “sewer summit,” and also commend The Eagle for its coverage of that event. One issue that deserves more attention is the role of well-managed public utilities as engines of growth. The Town of Cathlamet operates water and sewer utilities, each with service areas that extend beyond Town limits. These utilities allow development that would otherwise not be possible; homes can be built on lots too small for septic systems, or where drill...

  • Take time to vote in important election

    Oct 25, 2012

    To The Eagle: It is time to vote in Wahkiakum County. This is an extremely important election, both locally and nationwide. I would like to think that our local candidates have the interest of the residents of Wahkiakum County at heart. Not maintaining a residence in another state, as a PUD candidate does. Nor a candidate for county commission whom is an avid supporter of the comprehensive plan (required by law to have one) which if enacted is usually followed by zoning and development laws and ordinances. In today's economy, the comprehensive...

  • Support bond for new fire truck

    Oct 25, 2012

    To The Eagle: I am writing this letter to urge support for the Fire District #4 General Obligation Bond to purchase an upgraded fire truck. Before my retirement in 2005, I served in District #4 for 26 years and saw first hand the evolution in fire fighting equipment and safety gear. I can say, with certainty, that the expenditures for these improvements paid off for all the area's firefighters and the people served by them. We purchased the existing truck in 1988 and it has served us well for 24 years. This truck has been well maintained and...

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